J.H.

CERILLES STATE COLLEGE

Dumingag Campus

GEE 101
GENDER AND SOCIETY
https://gendersociety.wordpress.com/2017/08/28/gender-society

M
O
D FEMINISM; CONCEPT AND
THEORIES
U
L
E MYRNA P. PERIGO, MAED
Asst. Prof. IV

2
For Instructional Purposes Only
 Chapter 2

OVERVIEW
Many people incorrectly believe that feminist theory
focuses exclusively on girls and women and that it has
an inherent goal of promoting the superiority of
Feminism: concept and theories women over men.

In reality, feminist theory has always been about

viewing the social world in a way that illuminates the
CONTENTS forces that create and support inequality, oppression,
and injustice, and in doing so, promotes the pursuit of
Lesson 1 equality and justice.
History of Feminism

Lesson 2
t of Feminism
Lesson 3
Types of Feminism
Lesson 4
Feminist Theory in Sociology
Lesson 5
Trace the history of feminism
How to be a Feminist
Discuss the meaning and concepts of feminism
Discuss the types of feminism
Describe the feminist theory in sociology
Share advocacy of being a feminist

Learning Outcomes:

 Make a powerpoint presentation in every lesson.

 Make a compilation album for all activities.

For Instructional Purposes Only

 Second Wave
LESSON
Second-wave feminism refers to the period of activity in the early 1960s and lasting through the late 1980s.
The scholar Imelda Whelehan suggests that the second wave was a continuation of the earlier phase of
HISTORY OF FEMINISM

1
feminism involving the suffragettes in the UK and USA. Second-wave feminism has continued to exist since that
time and coexists with what is termed third-wave feminism. The scholar Estelle Freedman compares first and
second-wave feminism saying that the first wave focused on rights such as suffrage, whereas the second wave
was largely concerned with other issues of equality, such as ending discrimination.
Feminism, the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Although largely originating in
The feminist activist and author Carol Hanisch coined the slogan "The Personal is Political" which became
the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed to activity
synonymous with the second wave. Second-wave feminists saw women's cultural and political inequalities as
on behalf of women’s rights and interests.
inextricably linked and encouraged women to understand aspects of their personal lives as deeply politicized
and as reflecting sexist power structures.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/feminism

History
Simone de Beauvoir wrote that "the first time we see a woman take up her pen in defense of her sex" was
Christine de Pizan who wrote Epitre au Dieu d'Amour (Epistle to the God of Love) in the 15th century.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa and Modesta di Pozzo di Forzi worked in the 16th century. Marie Le Jars de
Gournay, Anne Bradstreet and Francois Poullain de la Barre wrote during the 17th.

Feminists and scholars have divided the movement's history into three "waves". The first wave refers mainly
to women's suffrage movements of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (mainly concerned with
women's right to vote). The second wave refers to the ideas and actions associated with the women's
liberation movement beginning in the 1960s (which campaigned for legal and social rights for women). The
third wave refers to a continuation of, and a reaction to the perceived failures of, second-wave feminism,
beginning in the 1990s.

http://www.gender.cawater-info.net/knowledge_base/rubricator/feminism _

First Wave

First-wave feminism refers to an extended period of feminist activity during the nineteenth century
and early twentieth century in the United Kingdom and the United States. Originally it focused on
the promotion of equal contract and property rights for women and the opposition to chattel
marriage and ownership of married women (and their children) by their husbands. However, by the
end of the nineteenth century, activism focused primarily on gaining political power, particularly the
right of women's suffrage. Yet, feminists such as Voltairine de Cleyre and Margaret Sanger were
still active in campaigning for women's sexual, reproductive, and economic rights at this time. In
1854, Florence Nightingale established female nurses as adjuncts to the military.

http://www.gender.cawater-info.net/knowledge_base/rubricator/feminism_e.htm#

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 LESSON
MEANING AND CONCEPT OF FEMINISM

Third Wave
Third-wave feminism began in the early 1990s, arising as a response to perceived failures of the second
wave and also as a response to the backlash against initiatives and movements created by the second wave.
Third-wave feminism seeks to challenge or avoid what it deems the second wave's essentialist definitions of
femininity, which (according to them) over-emphasize the experiences of upper middle-class white women.

A post-structuralist interpretation of gender and sexuality is central to much of the third wave's ideology.
Third-wave feminists often focus on "micro-politics" and challenge the second wave's paradigm as to what is,
or is not, good for females. The third wave has its origins in the mid-1980s. Feminist leaders rooted in the
second wave like Gloria Anzaldua, bell hooks, Chela Sandoval, Cherrie Moraga, Audre Lorde, Maxine Hong
Kingston, and many other black feminists, sought to negotiate a space within feminist thought for
consideration of race-related subjectivities.

Third-wave feminism also contains internal debates between difference feminists such as the psychologist
Carol Gilligan (who believes that there are important differences between the sexes) and those who believe
that there are no inherent differences between the sexes and contend that gender roles are due to social
conditioning.

Fourth Wave

Fourth-wave feminism is a feminist movement that began around 2012 and is characterized by a focus on
the empowerment of women, the use of internet tools, and intersectionality. The fourth wave seeks greater
gender equality by focusing on gendered norms and marginalization of women in society.

Intersectionality and interlocking systems of power is emphasised, and how these contribute to
the stratification of traditionally marginalized groups, such as women of colour and trans women. Fourth-wave
feminists advocate (like earlier feminists) for greater representation of these groups in politics and business, and
argue that society would be more equitable if policies and practices incorporated the perspectives of all people.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth-wave_feminism

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  Gender has several definitions. It usually refers to a set of characteristics that are considered to distinguish
between male and female, reflect one's biological sex, or reflect one's gender identity. Gender identity is the
gender(s), or lack thereof, a person self-identifies as; it is not necessarily based on biological sex, either real
What is Feminism?
or perceived, and it is distinct from sexual orientation. It is one's internal, personal sense of being a
man orFeminism
a womanis(or a boy or of
a collection girl).[2] Thereaimed
movements are two main genders:
at defining, masculine
establishing, (male), or
and defending feminine
equal
(female), although
political, some cultures
economic, and socialacknowledge more
rights and equal genders. Androgyny,
opportunities for women. for example, has been
 Its concepts
proposed as a thirdoverlap
gender.[3] Someofsocieties
with those women'shave more
rights. than five
Feminism genders,[4]
is mainly focusedand some non-Western
on women's
issues,
societies havebut because
three feminism
genders – man,seeks gender
woman equality,
and some feminists
third gender.[5] argue
Gender that men'srefers
expression liberation
to the
is therefore a necessary part of feminism, and that men are also harmed by sexism and gender
external manifestation of one's gender identity, through "masculine," "feminine," or gender-variant or
gender roles.
neutral behavior, clothing, hairstyles, or body characteristics.[6]
 Feminist theory exists in a variety of disciplines, emerging from these feminist movements and
including general theories about the origins of inequality, and, in some cases, about the social
Some
construction of sex and Key principles of feminist practice
gender.
 Feminist activists have campaigned for women's rights—such as in contract, property, and
• The role of gender is —
voting recognized
while alsoaspromoting
a key factor in the oppression
women's of human
rights to bodily potential
integrity and autonomy and
• Patriarchal assumptions
reproductiveandrights.
practices
Theythat
haveoppress
opposed anddomestic
disempower women
violence, andharassment,
sexual girls are identified and challenged
and sexual
• Women's broader experiences
assault. are validated
In economics, they have and they are seen
advocated as individuals
for workplace not
rights, just as wives
including equaland
paymothers
and or
opportunities
potential wives and mothers for careers and to start businesses.
• Differenceis celebrated
Some of theand the uniqueness
earlier of the human
forms of feminism condition
have been is embraced
criticized for being geared towards white,
• Egalitarian andmiddle-class, educated perspectives.
reciprocal relationships are fosteredThis led to the creation of ethnically-specific or
multiculturalist forms of feminism.
• The empowerment of women and children is assisted by:
 and
– Working with Feminist theory
not for themis the extension of feminism into theoretical, or philosophical discourse, it aims
to understand the nature of
– Encouraging a collaborative relationship gender
with women inequality.
and children
 It examines women's
– Focusing on strengths and not deficits social roles and lived experience, and feminist politics in a variety of fields,
such as
– Actively supporting andanthropology
encouragingand sociology,
women communication, psychoanalysis, economics, literary
and children
criticism, education, and philosophy.
– A feminist framework
 Themes
A feminist framework explored
provides forininterventions
feminism include
at anart history] and
individual, contemporary
service and systemic art, aesthetics,
level. A feminist framework can:
discrimination, stereotyping, objectification (especially sexual objectification), oppression, and
– Assist women patriarchy.
and children to identify their strengths and resilience
 Gender
– Foster egalitarian and roles refer relationships
reciprocal to the set of social and behavioral norms that are considered to be socially
appropriate
– Offer a broad critique for individuals
of social arrangementsof a for
specific sex in
the care ofthe context
those of avulnerable
who are specific culture, which differ
in society
widely between cultures and over time. There are differences of opinion
– Assist women to find a balance between their rights and the rights and needs of their children as to whether observed
gender differences in behavior and personality characteristics are, at least in part, due to
– Provide a sound rationale for political and community activism
cultural or social factors, and therefore, the product of socialization experiences, or to what
extent gender differences are due to biological and physiological differences.
 Burton
Adapted from Views on gender-based differentiation in the workplace and in interpersonal relationships have
(2001)
often undergone profound changes as a result of feminist and/or economic influences, but there
are still considerable differences in gender roles in almost all societies.
It is also true that in times of necessity, such as during a war or other emergency, women are
permitted to perform functions which in "normal" times would be considered a male role, or vice
versa.

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LESSON
TYPES OF FEMINISM

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Critics
Critics of liberal feminism point to a lack of critique of basic gender relationships, a focus on state action which
links women's interests to those of the powerful, a lack of class or race analysis, and a lack of analysis of ways
in which women are different from men. Critics often accuse liberal feminism of judging women and their
success by male standards.

"White feminism" is a kind of liberal feminism which assumes that the issues facing white women are the
In 1983, Alison Jaggar published Feminist Politics and Human Nature where she defined four theories related
issues all women face, and unity around liberal feminist goals is more important than racial equality and other
to feminism:
such goals. Intersectionality was a theory developed in criticism of liberal feminism's common blindspot on
race. feminism
Liberal
Marxism
In more recent years, liberal feminism has sometimes been conflated with a kind of libertarian feminism,
Radical feminism
sometimes called equity feminism or individual feminism. Individual feminism often opposes legislative or
Socialist feminism
state action, preferring to emphasize developing the skills and abilities of women to compete better in the
Her analysis was not completely new; the varieties of feminism had begun to emerge as early as the 1960s.
world as it is. This feminism opposes laws that give either men or women advantages and privileges.
Jaggar's contribution was in clarifying, extending and solidifying the various definitions, which are still often
used today. https://www.thoughtco.com/liberal-feminism-3529177

Liberal Feminism
Jagger described liberal feminism as theory and work that concentrates more on issues such as equality in the
workplace, in education, and in political rights. Liberal feminism also focuses on how private life impedes or
enhances public equality.

Thus, liberal feminists tend to support marriage as an equal partnership, and more male involvement in child
care. Support for abortion and other reproductive rights have to do with control of one's life and autonomy.
Ending domestic violence and sexual harassment remove obstacles to women achieving on an equal level with
men.

Liberal feminism's primary goal is gender equality in the public sphere, such as equal access to education,
equal pay, ending job sex segregation, and better working conditions. From this standpoint, legal changes
would make these goals possible.

Private sphere issues are of concern mainly as they influence or impede equality in the public sphere. Gaining
access to and being paid and promoted equally in traditionally male-dominated occupations is an important
goal.

What do women want? Liberal feminists believe they want the same things men want:

to get an education

to make a decent living

to provide for one's family.

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 Roots of Radical Feminism

Radical feminism was rooted in the wider radical contemporary movement. Women who participated in the
anti-war and New Left political movements of the 1960s found themselves excluded from equal power by the
men within the movement, despite the movements' supposed underlying values of empowerment. Many of
these women split off into specifically feminist groups, while still retaining much of their original political radical
ideals and methods. "Radical feminism" became the term used for the more radical edge of feminism.

Radical feminism is credited with the use of consciousness-raising groups to raise awareness of women's
oppression. Later radical feminists sometimes added a focus on sexuality, including some moving to radical
political lesbianism.

Key Issues and Tactics

Central issues engaged by radical feminists include:

 Reproductive rights for women, including the freedom to make choices to give birth, have an abortion,
use birth control, or get sterilized
 Evaluating and then breaking down traditional gender roles in private relationships as well as in public
policies
 Understanding pornography as an industry and practice leading to harm to women, although some
radical feminists disagreed with this position
Radical Feminism
 Understanding rape as an expression of patriarchal power, not a seeking of sex
 Understanding prostitution under patriarchy as the oppression of women, sexually and economically
Radical feminism is a philosophy emphasizing the patriarchal roots of inequality between men and women, or,
 A critique of motherhood, marriage, the nuclear family, and sexuality, questioning how much of our
more specifically, the social domination of women by men. Radical feminism views patriarchy as dividing
culture is based on patriarchal assumptions
societal rights, privileges, and power primarily along the lines of sex, and as a result, oppressing women and
 A critique of other institutions, including government and religion, as centered historically in patriarchal
privileging men.
power.
Radical feminism opposes existing political and social organization in general because it is inherently tied to
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-radical-feminism-3528997
patriarchy. Thus, radical feminists tend to be skeptical of political action within the current system and instead
tend to focus on culture change that undermines patriarchy and associated hierarchical structures.

What Makes It 'Radical'?

Radical feminists tend to be more militant in their approach (radical as "getting to the root") than other
feminists. A radical feminist aims to dismantle patriarchy rather than making adjustments to the system
through legal changes. Radical feminists also resist reducing oppression to an economic or class issue,
as socialist or Marxist feminism sometimes did or does.

Radical feminism opposes patriarchy, not men. To equate radical feminism to man-hating is to assume that
patriarchy and men are inseparable, philosophically and politically. (Although, Robin Morgan has defended
"man-hating" as the right of the oppressed class to hate the class that is oppressing them.)

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-radical-feminism-3528997

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Socialist Feminism
The phrase "socialist feminism" was increasingly used during the 1970s to describe a mixed theoretical and
practical approach to achieving women's equality. Socialist feminist theory analyzed the connection between
the oppression of women and other oppressions in society, such as racism and economic injustice.

The Socialist Basis

Socialists had fought for decades to create a more equal society that did not exploit the poor and the powerless
in the same ways that capitalism did. Like Marxism, socialist feminism recognized the oppressive structure of a
capitalist society. Like radical feminism, socialist feminism recognized the fundamental oppression of women,
particularly in a patriarchal society. However, socialist feminists did not recognize gender—and only gender—as
the exclusive basis of all oppression. Rather, they held and continue to hold that class and gender are symbiotic,
at least to some degree, and one cannot be addressed without taking the other into consideration.

Socialist feminists wanted to integrate the recognition of sex discrimination within their work to achieve justice
and equality for women, for working classes, for the poor, and all humanity.

How Is Socialist Feminism Different?

Socialist feminism has often been compared to cultural feminism, but they are quite different although there
are some similarities. Cultural feminism focuses almost exclusively on the unique traits and accomplishments of
the female gender in opposition to those of men. Separatism is a key theme, but socialist feminism opposes
this. The goal of socialist feminism is to work with men to achieve a level playing field for both genders. Socialist
feminists have referred to cultural feminism as "pretentious."

Socialist feminism is also distinctly different from liberal feminism, although the concept of liberalism has
changed over the early decades of the 21st century. Although liberal feminists seek equality of the sexes,
socialist feminists do not believe that is entirely possible within the constraints of current society.

The focus of radical feminists is more on the root causes of inequalities that exist. They tend to take the position
that sexual discrimination is the sole source of the oppression of women. However, radical feminism may be
more closely related than some other forms of feminism are to socialist feminism.

https://www.thoughtco.com/socialist-feminism-womens-history-definition-3528988

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Cultural Feminism
Cultural feminism is a variety of feminism which emphasizes essential differences between men and women, based on
biological differences in reproductive capacity. Cultural feminism attributes to those differences distinctive and superior
virtues in women. What women share, in this perspective, provides a basis for "sisterhood," or unity, solidarity and
shared identity. Thus, cultural feminism also encourages building a shared women's culture.

The phrase "essential differences" refers to the belief that gender differences are part of the essence of females or
males, that the differences are not chosen but are part of the nature of woman or man. Cultural feminists differ as to
whether these differences are based on biology or enculturation. Those who believe differences are not genetic or
biological, but are cultural, conclude that women's "essential" qualities are so ingrained by culture that they are
persistent.

Cultural feminists also tend to value qualities identified with women as superior or and preferable to qualities identified
with men, whether the qualities are products of nature or culture.

The emphasis, in the words of critic Sheila Rowbotham, is on "living a liberated life."

Key Ideas
Cultural feminists argue that what they define as traditional male behaviors, including aggressiveness, competitiveness,
and domination, are harmful to society and to particular fields within society, including business and politics. Instead,
the cultural feminist argues, emphasizing caring, cooperation, and egalitarianism would make a better world. Those who
argue that women are biologically or inherently more kind, caring, nurturing, and cooperative, also argue then for more
inclusion of women in decision-making processes in society and in particular fields within society.

Cultural feminists advocate for

 equal valuing of "female" occupations including parenting
 respecting child care in the home
 paying wages/salaries so that staying home is economically viable;
 respecting "female" values of care and nurturing
 working to balance a culture that overvalues "male" values of aggression and undervalues “female” values of
kindness and gentleness
 creating rape crisis centers and women’s shelters, often in cooperation with other kinds of feminists
 emphasis on the shared values of women from white, African American, and other cultures, more than on the
differences of women in different groups
 a female sexuality that is based on an equality of power, based on mutuality rather than control, based on non-
polarized roles, and refuses to recreate sexual hierarchies

https://www.thoughtco.com/cultural-feminism-definition-3528996

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For Instructional Purposes Only
 LESSON
FEMINIST THEORY IN SOCIOLOGY

Feminist theory is a major branch within sociology that shifts its assumptions, analytic lens, and topical focus away from
the male viewpoint and experience toward that of women.

In doing so, feminist theory shines a light on social problems, trends, and issues that are otherwise overlooked or
misidentified by the historically dominant male perspective within social theory.

Key areas of focus within feminist theory include:

 discrimination and exclusion on the basis of sex and gender

 objectification
 structural and economic inequality
 power and oppression
 gender roles and stereotypes

Many people incorrectly believe that feminist theory focuses exclusively on girls and women and that it has an inherent
goal of promoting the superiority of women over men.

In reality, feminist theory has always been about viewing the social world in a way that illuminates the forces that create
and support inequality, oppression, and injustice, and in doing so, promotes the pursuit of equality and justice.

That said, since the experiences and perspectives of women and girls were historically excluded for years from social
theory and social science, much feminist theory has focused on their interactions and experiences within society to
ensure that half the world's population is not left out of how we see and understand social forces, relations, and
problems.

While most feminist theorists throughout history have been women, people of all genders can be found working in the
discipline today. By shifting the focus of social theory away from the perspectives and experiences of men, feminist
theorists have created social theories that are more inclusive and creative than those that assume the social actor to
always be a man.

https://www.thoughtco.com/feminist-theory-3026624

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Gender Differences
Some feminist theory provides an analytic framework for understanding how women's location in and experience of
social situations differ from men's.

For example, cultural feminists look at the different values associated with womanhood and femininity as a reason
for why men and women experience the social world differently.1 Other feminist theorists believe that the different
roles assigned to women and men within institutions better explain gender differences, including the sexual division
of labor in the household.2

Existential and phenomenological feminists focus on how women have been marginalized and defined
as “other” in patriarchal societies. Some feminist theorists focus specifically on how masculinity is developed
through socialization, and how its development interacts with the process of developing femininity in girls.

https://www.thoughtco.com/feminist-theory-3026624

Gender Inequality
Feminist theories that focus on gender inequality recognize that women's location in and experience of social
situations are not only different but also unequal to men's.

Liberal feminists argue that women have the same capacity as men for moral reasoning and agency, but
that patriarchy, particularly the sexist division of labor, has historically denied women the opportunity to express
and practice this reasoning.3

These dynamics serve to shove women into the private sphere of the household and to exclude them from full
participation in public life. Liberal feminists point out that gender inequality exists for women in a heterosexual
marriage and that women do not benefit from being married.4

Indeed, these feminist theorists claim, married women have higher levels of stress than unmarried women and
married men.5 Therefore, the sexual division of labor in both the public and private spheres needs to be altered
for women to achieve equality in marriage.

https://www.thoughtco.com/feminist-theory-3026624

For Instructional Purposes Only

Gender Oppression
Theories of gender oppression go further than theories of gender difference and gender inequality by arguing
that not only are women different from or unequal to men, but that they are actively oppressed,
subordinated, and even abused by men.6

Power is the key variable in the two main theories of gender oppression: psychoanalytic feminism and radical
feminism.

Psychoanalytic feminists attempt to explain power relations between men and women by reformulating
Sigmund Freud's theories of human emotions, childhood development, and the workings of the subconscious
and unconscious. They believe that conscious calculation cannot fully explain the production and reproduction
of patriarchy.7

Radical feminists argue that being a woman is a positive thing in and of itself, but that this is not acknowledged
in patriarchal societies where women are oppressed. They identify physical violence as being at the base
of patriarchy, but they think that patriarchy can be defeated if women recognize their own value and strength,
establish a sisterhood of trust with other women, confront oppression critically, and form female-based
separatist networks in the private and public spheres

https://www.thoughtco.com/feminist-theory-3026624

Structural Oppression
Structural oppression theories posit that women's oppression and inequality are a result of capitalism,
patriarchy, and racism.

Socialist feminists agree with Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels that the working class is exploited as a
consequence of capitalism, but they seek to extend this exploitation not just to class but also to gender.9

Intersectionality theorists seek to explain oppression and inequality across a variety of variables, including class,
gender, race, ethnicity, and age. They offer the important insight that not all women experience oppression in
the same way, and that the same forces that work to oppress women and girls also oppress people of color and
other marginalized groups.10

One way structural oppression of women, specifically the economic kind, manifests in society is in the gender
wage gap, which shows that men routinely earn more for the same work than women.

An intersectional view of this situation shows that women of color, and men of color, too, are even further
penalized relative to the earnings of white men.11

In the late 20th century, this strain of feminist theory was extended to account for the globalization of
capitalism and how its methods of production and of accumulating wealth center on the exploitation of women
workers around the world.

https://www.thoughtco.com/feminist-theory-3026624

For Instructional Purposes Only

 LESSON
HOW TO BE A FEMINIST

5
There is no single way to be a feminist; being a feminist can take on very different forms. Essentially, a
feminist is someone who believes in equality between the genders. Most people would say that they favor
equality and gender rights. They believe that men and women should have equal opportunities and the
ability to do whatever they want with their lives.

1. IF YOU IDENTIFY AS A 2. IF YOU IDENTIFY AS A MAN,

WOMAN, KNOW THAT YOU ARE RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR
WORTHY. EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT AND
TALK TO OTHERS ABOUT IT.
This might sound too simple, or even cheesy, but it
isn’t. Only if women believe they are worthy It’s hard to admit that you benefit from a system that
themselves can we prove that we are deserving of equal oppresses others, especially if you’ve seen oppression
and fair treatment. yourself, but if you can admit that then you can help to
break it down. And that’s what we want, right?
Plus, feminism is about recognizing that women are Besides — feminism helps men, too.
equal to everyone else in this world, and to me that
includes anyone who identifies as a woman — not just Of course, men suffer from abuse and discrimination
people who are cisgender. as well — especially men of colour — but it’s still
true that being a man is different from being a woman.
So if you identify as a woman, live and breathe your And in order to be a true feminist, you must
worthiness! Know you are beautiful, know you are understand this and be critical of your
smart, and don’t be afraid to speak up and voice your experience and women’s as well, not just women’s.
opinions — they matter!
So in your daily life, listen to what women have to say
and ask them questions, especially if you don’t
understand. Talk to other men about your collective
https://www.andpossiblydinosaurs.com/6-ways-to-be-a- experience as men, too. Use your male privilege to
feminist-in-your-daily-life/ point out that women are human, and that they
deserve respect.

https://www.andpossiblydinosaurs.com/6-ways-to-be-a-
feminist-in-your-daily-life/

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3. POINT OUT SEXISM WHEN YOU 4. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN OR
SEE IT AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH CHILDREN,
TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT FIND TEACHABLE MOMENTS
IT. AND INSTIL A BELIEF IN
GENDER EQUALITY.
This goes for anyone and everyone, of all genders.
This is so important! Kids are so much more open to
Sexism is so entrenched in the system that many of us new ideas, and they really are the future.
hardly notice it. In order to combat it we have to see it
first. Feminism loses when people see it and then just As a substitute teacher, I often hear elementary-aged
ignore it, because nothing is being done. children say things to insult their male friends, like
“But you fit in with the girls, right? Ha!” or “You
Now when I say point it out, I don’t mean you have to throw like a girl!” or “Go back to the kitchen!” They
be aggressive and angry — in fact, try to be as calm as don’t really notice what exactly they are saying.
you can. If someone says something sexist, just
question it. Often people don’t even realize what Usually, I just ask what they mean, and that stops
they’ve said. them for a second. They’ll say, “I don’t know,”
because they feel they are in trouble. But instead of
https://www.andpossiblydinosaurs.com/6-ways-to-be-a-
just getting angry, I say, “It sounded like an insult to
feminist-in-your-daily-life/ me, and I don’t understand that. You’re saying he’s
like a girl, but what’s wrong with being a girl?”
Usually then they realize what they’ve said, or a
female student will pipe up and say, “Yeah, what’s
5. CATCH YOURSELF AND STOP wrong with that?!” That really helps because often
since that girl is one of their friends, they do care
YOURSELF WHEN YOU JUDGE about her — and that makes them think.
OTHER WOMEN UNFAIRLY.
https://www.andpossiblydinosaurs.com/6-ways-to-be-a-
This one is hard for everyone. I myself struggle with it. feminist-in-your-daily-life/
The values our society teaches about women are taught
from such a young age, it can be hard to break out of
those habits. But with practice, you can unlearn these 6. READ TO LEARN AS MUCH AS
problematic ideas!
YOU CAN.
For example, if you catch yourself judging a woman’s So much of what I’ve said has been about catching
sexuality based on what they are wearing, just notice it yourself, breaking habits, and teaching others, which
and catch yourself. Ask yourself why you are judging is all very important. But learning about feminism
them. Generally, a woman is negatively judged no yourself is key.
matter what they wear — a “prude” if they don’t show
any skin or a “slut” if they show a lot, both of which are Feminism is constantly changing, as people learn
completely unfair. Try to remind yourself that women more and oppressed voices are becoming more heard.
are all deserving of respect no matter what they wear. First wave and second wave feminists may not have
been as inclusive as they could have been, but those
If you catch yourself judging a woman’s femininity mistakes are being corrected by later feminists —
based on what they are wearing or how they act, now feminism aims to include people of all
remember that not all women are feminine, and a ethnicities, and to recognize that hating men isn’t
woman’s value isn’t about their femininity, but their what feminism is about. Feminism is becoming more
humanity. accessible as more and more people that don’t have
academic backgrounds get involved.
https://www.andpossiblydinosaurs.com/6-ways-to-be-a-
feminist-in-your-daily-life/ https://www.andpossiblydinosaurs.com/6-ways-to-be-a-
feminist-in-your-daily-life/

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